Papi’s Recovery

Hi. This is the Rodriguez Family. We are fundraising for ‘Papi’- husband, father of two daughters, grandfather of 3 kids, and relative/friend to many.Jose Rodriguez, known by all his family and friends as ‘Papi’, and his daughters and wife are in need of support. Papi was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2022. As a 73 year old man, the treatment for his diagnosis was radiation and hormonal injections, and as per doctors it was curable. He finished radiation early December and the results were positive. He would be going back for additional treatment in the following months. His wife, Sonia, attended all his treatment sessions for 6 weeks and made sure to prepare daily meals that would boost his immune system and keep him as strong as possible.

Since Papi seemed to be doing okay, he was set on celebrating his 74th birthday, in his native country the Dominican Republic, during the month of February. Unfortunately his health made a tremendous turn. Last Tuesday February 28, his daughters and wife, received a tough call. Papi had been admitted to the ICU and doctors informed his relatives in DR that he was in critical condition and was not expected to make it past that night. His two daughters, wife, and 5 siblings all flew in to the Dominican Republic hoping to get there before he passed. Doctors informed the family, that Papi was dealing with heart failure, pneumonia, liquid in his lungs, and because of this kidneys and liver were also being affected.

As a proud Dominican family, we are sad to say that the medical system in our country is designed to only help the wealthy. Papi does not have medical insurance in DR and the family has had to pay out of pocket and in advance for all his medical needs. Doctors have been able to stabilize him, although he does require a lot of medical care. His family is hoping to bring him back to the U.S. where he would get medical care through his insurance, and be surrounded by his daughters, wife, and 3 grandkids. Any donation would be appreciated. The loving, stubborn, and funny Papi would be living a better quality life alongside his family back home in NY.